Stop Financial Issues from Stealing Your Sleep

Sleep and financial anxiety make the worst bedfellows. As if worrying about making ends meet wasn’t enough, the added stress of whether you’re saving enough for retirement can keep you up all night long.

If you can’t manage to get a decent rest because of money, all that tossing and turning can leave you feeling like a zombie in your waking life. But the connection between the quality of your sleep and long-term health runs deeper than concentration. Chronic sleep issues can lead to a long list of mental and physical health issues that interfere with your daily life.

With sleep playing such an important role in your wellbeing, it’s important you tackle your issues today.

The Power of Restful Slumber

Have you ever tried to use your iPhone when it’s running low on battery? Then you know how a low charge can cause even simple apps and functions to fail as your device runs out energy.

You aren’t too different from your smartphone in that regard. Sleep is your body’s way of recharging its batteries, so you won’t feel or function at your best when you can’t sleep through the night.

Studies show that a lack of sleep can impair cognitive function, weaken the immune system, and even increase the risk of chronic illnesses. You’re also more likely to develop diabetes and heart disease if you’re chronically sleep deprived.

Sleep deprivation can also have an impact on your financial decision-making and reasoning skills, as your lack of sleep slowly robs you of your concentration. You may be less prepared to review policies and contracts, compare rates and terms, or track down the best price between two items. Worse yet — you might be more tempted to spend on things you don’t need.

Related » Why you should clear your sleep debt right away

How to Improve Your Sleep and Leave Your Financial Worries Behind

Here are some ideas to help you get a better night’s rest.

Start a Side Hustle

If you’re worried your paycheck won’t stretch far enough to cover rent, consider what you can do to make your paychecks more flexible. While switching careers might be a problem for another day, you can look into starting a side gig if you want to make money at home starting now.

Whether it’s monetizing a hobby, offering consulting services, or taking advantage of online platforms, the extra income can alleviate financial strain. Better sleep will quickly follow when you know you’re taking proactive steps toward a stronger financial future.

Create a Budget

Building a budget gives you the means to identify your financial limits, so you know what you have to work with to cover bills, savings, and debt repayment. It can alert you to problem spending that interferes with these goals — from unnecessary splurges and costly mobile bills to overpriced rent and debts.

A budget empowers you to take control of your finances. Knowing where your money is going and making intentional spending choices reduces your feelings of helplessness when it’s time to go to bed.

Related » How I Cured My Shopping Addiction

Address Your Debt

For many people, the financial IOU they owe across personal loans, lines of credit, and auto financing keeps them up at night. If you’re the same, use your budget to see how you can pay more than the minimum. By tackling debt head-on and reducing your outstanding balances, you’ll experience a sense of accomplishment and alleviate financial burden, promoting better sleep.

Related » How to Ruin Your Financial Life

The Takeaway

Improving your sleep quality and financial wellbeing go hand in hand. By addressing financial stress through a budget, debt management, and exploring side gigs, you can end your sleepless nights caused by money worries.